Uh...Thanks Puritans?

Ahh the Puritans. They lived quite a lifestyle, didn’t they?  And they made sure that their lifestyle was passed down from generation to generation. Children were born at nearly twice the rate in Maryland and Virginia than in the Southern Colonies. It is often said that New England invented grandparents, for it was here that people in great numbers first grew old enough to see their children bear children. Everyone wanted to have boys. Boys, Boys, Boys.  It was believed that women who were pregnant with a male child had a rosy complexion and that women carrying a female child were pale. Names of women found in census reports of Massachusetts Bay include Patience, Silence, Fear, Prudence, Comfort, Hopestill, and Be Fruitful. I would not be able to live with a name like “Be Fruitful.”

For their wonderful children, they wanted the best education.  The puritans are said to have started the first American Public Schools. Now, going to a public school now, I have respect for that. They promoted education and believed that everyone has the right to an education.  The Puritans also formed the First American College. Guess what that was? Harvard. Now THAT’S an impact on society. Harvard is one of the most prestigious Universities and people work their whole lives just to get in.

I can’t imagine being a child growing up in Puritan society. There would be no room for fun or games. Any show of emotion, such as excitement, fear, or anger, was discouraged, and disobedience was severely punished, especially for boys.  In many cultures now, its frowned upon when boys show emotion, for it shows weakness.  Boys were allowed to go out and become carpenters or hunt and just be open in the world. Girls on the other hand, had to stay at home, cooking, cleaning, you know, the “women’s work.” Now, if you were to refer to that as women’s work, you’d get a slap right across the face.  Some “macho men” think that it’s still the “women’s work,” but hey, times have changed. Thank GOODNES.

So, the Puritans. They lived a harsh lifestyle. And a lot of their lifestyle has either withered away or developed in something not as intense. As a teenager and a student, I can’t really say I’m ENTIRELY thankful for the existence of school. But to the Puritans, Thank you. Now I at least have the OPPORTUNITY to have an education(:

The Moment I knew I was an American...

    America. The country of opportunity. The country of hopes and dreams. The country of equality. But what makes an American?

  This week, we were asked to write about when we knew we were an American. I never really gave a second thought about this. Ever since I was little, I considered myself an American. Now, let me clear some things up. I wasn't BORN in the United States. I was born in Panama, the home country of my mother. When we came to the United States with my father (who was born here) I was just a couple of months old. The United States is my home, yet to some people, I am still an Immigrant. I was born with automatic American Citizenship because my father was born here.

 I've had incidents with people who consider my mom and me of "lesser" standard, because we weren't born here. One case in particular always stands out in my mind. When I was a little girl, my mom would walk me to school every day. While we were walking, there would always be a man standing near a corner and every day he would say things to us. They weren't nice things. He would tell my mom to go back to her country and to take me with her. He would say that America doesn't want us and we're corrupting the pure blood of "American Society." My mom would always walk right past him, holding my hand, not giving the man a second glance.
 
 One day, I asked my mom what the man meant and why didn't it hurt her. She looked at me and said, "America is my country. And it is your country as well. There is no such thing as "Pure Blood" because America is about diversity. That's what makes this country beautiful. Don't let anybody tell you that you are lesser than them. We all came here for the same reason; equality."

I guess you could say that from that moment, there was no doubt I was an American. But the real question is; What IS an American? And what makes one person more American than the next?

Us vs Them? Us and Them? Us? Them?

    Individuality. Everyone posses it but not everyone is comfortable with expressing it. Society nowadays has gotten more accepting of differences, however, there will never be complete acceptance. People try too hard to fit into the "norm" but what is the "norm?" Being a teenager is no easy task. There's always the question of whether or not to do "this" or "that." The reprecussions and social damage that can precede a choice would bring any teenager into a state of complete panic. So, in an attempt to avoid harassment or dissaproving thoughts/looks, many of us just follow the crowd. Listen to what our friends listen to, wear whats "popular", talk the way we're "supposed" to talk, act the way we're "supposed to act" etc. What happens when we get too sucked into that molded persona though?

 

    On the other hand, people take it to extremes, completely boycotting pop culture all together. Now, I'm not saying this is right either. Life is all about balance. Life is about knowing when to stick with your beliefs and accept the beliefs of others. Once people start being able to live a life of balance, there will no longer be a "Us vs. Them" or an "Us and Them" it will be....Us WITH Them.